Instagram How-To

How to Download Instagram Stories

By Reviewed by Sam WhitakerUpdated 4 min read

Quick answer: To download your own Instagram Story, open it, tap Options in the bottom right and choose Save. Older Stories can be saved from your Stories archive, and all of them can be exported from Accounts Center. Instagram offers no way to download other people's Stories, and third-party downloader sites carry privacy and copyright risks.

Key takeaways

  • Save a Story before posting with Save (iPhone) or Download (Android) at the top of the editing screen.
  • On iPhone, Save Story combines every clip in your current Story into one video.
  • Stories older than 24 hours can only be saved if Save story to archive was switched on when they were posted.
  • Live broadcasts can only be downloaded right after you end them.
  • There's no official way to download someone else's Story; ask them for the file instead.
On this page

Which Stories can you download?

StoryOfficial download?Method
Your Story before you post itYesSave / Download on the editing screen
Your Story that's still liveYesOptions > Save
Your Story older than 24 hoursYes, if archiving was onStories archive
All your Stories at onceYesExport from Accounts Center
Your Live broadcastYes, right after it endsDownload Video
Someone else's StoryNoAsk the creator for the file

How to save a Story before you post it

This is the easiest way to keep a copy with your text, stickers and drawings baked in.

On iPhone

  1. Create your Story in the Instagram camera.
  2. Add text, stickers or effects.
  3. Tap Save at the top of the screen.
  4. Share the Story as normal.

On Android

  1. Create and edit your Story.
  2. Tap Download at the top of the screen.
  3. Share the Story as normal.

If you often design Stories in another app first, check our guide to Instagram Story dimensions so the saved file and the posted version match.

How to download a Story you've already posted

While your Story is still live (within its 24 hours), you can save each photo or video from it.

On iPhone

  1. Tap your profile picture to open your Story.
  2. Go to the photo or video you want and tap Options in the bottom right.
  3. Tap Save....
  4. Choose Save Photo/Video for that single item, or Save Story to save everything in your current Story as one video.

Save Story is useful after an event: a birthday or a day of travel posted as ten short clips becomes a single file you can keep or edit into a reel.

On Android

  1. Open your Story.
  2. Tap Options in the bottom right of the photo or video.
  3. Tap Save Photo/Video.

Instagram doesn't document a combined Save Story option on Android, so save each item separately.

How to download old Stories from your archive

Once 24 hours have passed, your Story moves to your Stories archive, provided the archive setting was on at the time.

  1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Tap Archive. On some app versions, go to Your activity > Archived instead.
  4. Tap the Story you want to download.
  5. Tap Options in the bottom right.
  6. Tap Save photo or Save video.

Highlights are created from your archived Stories, so a Story you've added to a Highlight will usually be in your archive too. For more on getting archived content back onto your profile, see how to unarchive Instagram posts and Stories.

Make sure future Stories are archived

If you've never checked this, do it now, because Stories posted with the archive off are deleted after 24 hours and can't be downloaded later.

  • iPhone and Android: Menu > Your activity > Archived > Options > Settings, then turn on Save story to archive.
  • Computer: click More > Settings > Archiving and downloading (under Your app and media) and turn on Save story to archive.

How to download all your Stories at once

For a full backup, export your Instagram information.

  1. Go to your profile, tap Menu, then tap Meta Account or Accounts Center.
  2. Tap Your information and permissions.
  3. Tap Export your information, then Create export.
  4. Select your Instagram profile, tap Next and choose Export to device.
  5. Choose the information to include (select just your content if you only want media), a date range, format and media quality.
  6. Tap Start export.

On instagram.com, start from More > Settings and follow the same steps. Instagram says exports can take up to 30 days, and you'll have 4 days to download the file once it's ready. Our guide to saving Instagram photos covers the export choices in more detail.

How to save a Live video

When you end a live broadcast, tap Download Video to save it to your phone. This is the only moment the option appears, and only you can see it. The saved file includes the video, but not comments, likes or the viewer list. Longer broadcasts can take a minute to save.

Can you download other people's Stories?

Instagram has no download button for Stories posted by other accounts, public or private. That's deliberate: Stories are meant to be temporary, and the person who posted one decides who sees it.

Your honest options:

  • Ask for the file. If a friend posted something you want to keep, message them. It takes seconds and respects their choice.
  • Take a screenshot for personal reference only. Instagram's help pages don't describe Story screenshot alerts, but that doesn't make reposting acceptable. The creator owns the content, and reposting it without permission can infringe their copyright.
  • Credit and ask before reposting. Instagram's copyright guidance notes that copying a whole work, or using it commercially, weighs against fair use.

Troubleshooting

  • No Save option on a Story. Make sure it's your own Story and your app is up to date.
  • Old Story missing from the archive. Archiving was likely off when you posted it, or you deleted it. Deleted Stories not in your archive stay in Recently deleted for only up to 24 hours.
  • Saved Story has no sound. It may be an archived photo Story with a muted music sticker.
  • Story saved in low quality. Save before posting, or choose higher media quality in a data export.

Looking for fresh ideas now that your Stories are backed up? Try our Instagram Story tips.

Frequently asked questions

Does Instagram notify someone if I screenshot their Story?

Instagram's Help Center describes screenshot alerts only for disappearing photos and videos in chats, vanish mode and disappearing messages, not for Stories. Even so, a screenshot doesn't give you permission to repost someone's content.

Why is the music missing from a Story I saved from my archive?

Instagram says some archived Stories are changed to save storage, such as muting a music sticker or freezing a GIF on a photo Story. The change is permanent, so the saved file won't have the original audio.

Can I download a Story from a private account?

Not through Instagram, and you shouldn't try through third-party sites. Private accounts limit their Stories to approved followers, and tools claiming to bypass that are unreliable at best and scams at worst.

Are anonymous Story viewer sites safe?

They aren't affiliated with Instagram, and some push ads, sign-ups or requests for your login. Never enter your Instagram password on them, and remember that copying someone's Story still raises copyright and privacy issues.

Sources

  1. Instagram Help Center: Save your Instagram story to your device's camera roll
  2. Instagram Help Center: Archive Instagram Stories or turn off Stories Archive
  3. Instagram Help Center: Review and export a copy of your Instagram information
  4. Instagram Help Center: Save a live video to your device's camera roll
  5. Instagram Help Center: Add a story to your Story Highlights
  6. Instagram Help Center: What are fair use and other exceptions to copyright?

Checked against the live pages when this guide was last updated.

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